Meet Elmira.

Elmira Tolentino, an international nursing student from the Arellano University-International Nursing Program, is now at West Virginia University to complete her last year of the 3-plus-1 program.

The inaugural program launched at Alderson-Broaddus University in 2005, but with announcement of ABU’s closure in 2023, the WVU School of Nursing offered a teach-out for their international students.

Arellano University, based in the Philippines, saw the quality of the nursing program and decided to partner with the WVU School of Nursing to continue the international nursing program. Since the new partnership began, Tolentino is the first student to attend WVU.

“As our first global educational partnership, we are so excited to welcome Elmira and her peers to our Morgantown campus,” said Dr. Tara Hulsey, WVU School of Nursing dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor. “This mutually beneficial partnership provides opportunities for our students to work with students from another culture, as well as nursing employment opportunities in the U.S. for Arellano students.”

The students spend their first three years at Arellano University, where they receive the same nursing curriculum as they would at the WVU School of Nursing. For their senior year, the students travel to Morgantown on a student visa to complete the program.

Tolentino received her first degree in hospitality back in 2018. When COVID-19 hit, the hospitality industry suffered. She witnessed the challenges the virus posed to the healthcare industry and was inspired by the courage of healthcare professionals to return to school and pursue a career in nursing.

“My mother had cancer, so we were in the hospital a lot… so that was quite an impact for me, too,” Tolentino said.

Her first degree allowed her to participate in both pre- and post-graduate internships in Texas, so when searching for where to begin her nursing degree, she found the AU-INP program and was intrigued to see West Virginia.

Tolentino said she has enjoyed her time at the university. She said the people are very kind and helpful. Faculty even helped her prepare for the winter season, as she had never experienced snow before.

“The faculty always ask me if I need help with anything, and are always willing to guide me,” Tolentino said. “I think that's a huge help as well. Even my classmates, they've been really helpful, too.

“I have a peer coach named Olivia. She is awesome. If I have questions or encounter difficulties, I am not hesitant to seek assistance from anyone.”

Tolentino said the program has been great so far. She especially enjoyed experiencing the facilities, like the simulations at the WV STEPS Center and clinical skills labs.

At first, she said it was hard to come here all alone, but she has since joined the Filipino American Association. They had Filipino food to enjoy and attended the Filipino American Festival in Charleston, West Virginia. She said becoming a part of the community has helped her adjust to a new state.

After graduation, Tolentino would like to apply for an optional practical training, and she would like to stay in Morgantown to work at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Her ultimate goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.